Culture is one of the most misconstrued social concept in our society. To some; once culture is mentioned what comes to mind is archaic, outdated and out of fashion behavior; to others it means dance, drama and other forms of entertainment, to others also it means odd behavior of their elders in the village, others picture fetish scenes in some odd movies once culture is mentioned.
However, Culture has been defined by several authors. But a notable definition sees it as a way of life of a group of people–the behaviors, beliefs, values, and symbols that they accept, generally without thinking about them, and that are passed along by communication and imitation from one generation to the next.
So what is African cultural heritage: these are the behaviors, beliefs, values, and symbols that are accepted and adopted by African societies and are passed along by communication and imitation from one generation to the next.
Africans have a great cultural heritage which ranges from their values, beliefs, architecture, dance, food, language, institution, materials, practices, etc. But this article would pay more attention on African cultural values.
According to simple dictionary definition values are principles or standards of behaviour which one judges to be the definition of what is important in life. It is simply what is right or wrong.
Before the incursion of the Europeans and consequent colonisation and globalization of the African territories, the Africans have what constitutes their values and believes that they holds in high esteem.
Such believes have been subjugated by parents and elders of our societies and reinforced by the information technological era we are.
African traditional values are similar and related as such, which ever community you find yourself these values would not sound strange.
- Respect and honor for elders
- Chastity before marriage
- Respect for the marital institution
- Communal life
- Hard work
- Honestly and integrity
- Hospitality
- Modesty and decency
- Respect for constituted authority
- Good neighborliness
- Inordinate and excessive desire for quick riches (get rich quick syndrome)
Conclusion
No doubt we have rich cultural values but that does not exonerate it from some negative cultures like killing of twins, female genital mutilation, female inheritance, widowhood practices etc. The relevance of culture in our society cannot be overemphasized, people must make frantic efforts to understand their culture as even uptil now cultural prescriptions are being followed in marriage, child birth, death and even inheritance, so people must make effort to get themselves acquainted with the provisions and believes of his/her culture.
